Neuseeland

Monday, 17 November 2008

Kapiti is one of New Zealand’s most famous nature reserves; it is a large island sanctuary for birds where human influence is kept to a minimum (to visit the island you need a permit issued by the Department Of Conservation and only around 50 people can go there every day).In Kapiti you can see bird species which are endemic to NZ, some of which are either very rare or absent from the mainland.

The highest point in Kapiti Island is Tuteremoana, 521 m.

And even if you don't manage to spot any of the birds in the island, the experience is worth it, even if it's just to see how the boat is driven into the sea with all visitors on board ;-)

Friday, 14 November 2008

Auckland

Davenport

Sky Tower

View of Auckland from the boat to Rangitoto Island

Mount Ruapehu

Wellington mit Ester

Road trip to Coromandel and Taupo

2 hours on the train, 26 hours flight, switching from summer to winter and missing the first time my country's football team wins the Europe Cup... Now I begin to understand what we've done is more than just "moving to another country"!
Well, here I am, and our first trip here is a Road Trip to the Coromandel Peninsula together with Bruno (Swiss), Bernd (German) and Brendan (USA). And although it was winter, I spent my first birthday in NZ lying in the sun at Cathedral Cove. Not bad...(except for the sandflies)